Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum, so let me briefly introduce myself: my name Is Pietro, I am 20, I live in Italy and have been playing guitar for about 3 and a half years.

I've got a doubt concerning a purchase I'm going to do in a few weeks: as a fan of Metalcore, Deathcore and Djent I've been craving ERGs for a long time, so last year I ended up buying my first 7-string (a Cort EVL-Z47 with two EMG-HZ and a 25.5" scale), which I sold afterwards.

Then, one month ago I stumbled upon what looked like a friggin bargain: a 9 string AGILE Interceptor Pro 930 Limited Charcoal, auctioned for 600€ (equivalent to 680$, or 520£). It's a second-hand instrument, but from the photos it looks like new - just a tiny scratch on the back, not ever gonna mind about it. Plus, he sells it with a hardcase and a string pack so why not

The big deal here's that Rondo Music ships in Italy for about 220$. Jeez. The Interceptor Pro currently available in Rondo -with EMG 909s- sells for 850$ on sale (otherwise 1000$). Do the math, and it would cost me 1070$ (950€ or 820£). WITHOUT HARDCASE!!

Unfortunately I couldn't find any specs other than those given by this guy. Too few demos on YouTube, no spec sheet whatsoever.. some demos where also done with similar guitars, e.g. the Septor 930 series, but I'm not sure I can really judge it based on them The seller told me he bought it 6 years ago (so 2012-2013?), and maybe considering it's a limited edition it's not that surprising the Internet totally lacks demos of it

I don't want to spend too much money on this since it is my first 9 string. For a similar price I could get a new Agile Septor Elite 928, but with 28" scale and passive pickups.. not really sure I would enjoy it.

Have you guys had any experience with this guitar in particular, or others 9 strings of the same series/brand? Would you advise me to buy it?

(Don't worry about me - I have small hands but I think I will get used to the scale with practice )

Agile are great for unusual stuff such as this. The specs listed are enough, in my opinion. What else do you want to know?
If you're shopping for a 9, it doesn't get much better than this due to the 30" scale length, personally. I'd take that over any big brands shorter scale guitar. Pickups can always be replaced in the future.

I am sorry to be the one. I had a good experience with my 2 orders from Rondo, although I had to return the 2nd. But, I would hesitate in spending $220 for shipping a guitar that you have not personally tried yet. I would take that you will not have a return warranty. Isn't there any 9-string Harley Bentons?

I was not talking about feel, just the fact that it is close to breaking tension, for any gauge. Similar to tuning to G on standard scale. In theory, any string on there should be able to bend a semitone, but it's not exactly safe. I'd make a point to play any bend lines on the B string instead where possible

I was not talking about feel, just the fact that it is close to breaking tension, for any gauge. Similar to tuning to G on standard scale. In theory, any string on there should be able to bend a semitone, but it's not exactly safe. I'd make a point to play any bend lines on the B string instead where possible

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Have an Intrepid 830, can confirm. Whole step bends break the E string on the fret.

Agile 930. Labella strings. .008 on high E, tuned to E. Also have a .007 on my 28" schecter with a floyd... Nice and slinky, huge bends and trem pull ups, string has also been on there a year or 2 with no breaks haha. Daddario on that one.

Agile 930. Labella strings. .008 on high E, tuned to E. Also have a .007 on my 28" schecter with a floyd... Nice and slinky, huge bends and trem pull ups, string has also been on there a year or 2 with no breaks haha. Daddario on that one.

I hope so! Plus, this guy told me he had the electronics revisioned by a famous luthier (Sergio Tomassone, for those who know).
Unfortunately I cannot personally verify the quality of the guitar, because he lives about 3 hours far from me. Reaching him is feasible cost wise - I would spend about as much as shipping it - but I'm not sure I'm willing to travel that much. Especially alone. What do you guys suggest?

I own two Interceptor Pro 930s and they're both excellent guitars. Can't speak to the Cepheus pickups, as both mine came with EMGS, but the construction/finish is fantastic. Half-step bends on the High E are no problem with 8s, I wouldn't try a full-step bend...

Definitely go for it, you save the import/shipping costs wjich would come with a Rondo purchase. Regarding the e string being hard to bend on a 30 scale guitar, I need to ask, who buys a guitar with such a scale and tunes to E? Are there any bands that do these or individual musicians?

Definitely go for it, you save the import/shipping costs wjich would come with a Rondo purchase. Regarding the e string being hard to bend on a 30 scale guitar, I need to ask, who buys a guitar with such a scale and tunes to E? Are there any bands that do these or individual musicians?